6

I use wall plugs a lot for putting screws into brick walls.

It's easy to get the screw out when you want to remove them and usually you can loosen the screw a bit and pull and then both the wall plug and screw slide out.

Sometimes, however, the screw slides out but not the wall plug.

What's the best way to get it out?

Improve this question

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
7

I usually just poke them into the wall (unless they are the screw in kind obviously, or the kind with a large collar). Put a screw driver on them and give it a sharp whack, then patch the hole. I find it's easier and faster to patch the slightly larger hole, than it is to try and dig them out and then patch the hole anyway.

For the larger collar ones, try to bend/mutilate the collar enough then poke them through the wall.

Be careful when you do this, you don't want to put the screw driver and/or your hand through the wall as well.

In a brick wall you could drill them out. Find a bit that is about the same size as the hole in the anchor, then carefully drill it out.

Improve this answer
4
  • Updated question for brick wall. In that case, you can't poke them through.
    – rbrayb
    Commented Jun 30, 2011 at 20:15
  • @nzpcmad: are the anchors also epoxied into the brick wall?
    – Tester101
    Commented Jun 30, 2011 at 20:18
  • No - I use the correct drill bit size to drill the hole and then "gently" hammer them in. Normally a pretty tight fit.
    – rbrayb
    Commented Jun 30, 2011 at 20:57
  • What type of drill bit do you use? A stone bit? A wood bit? Something else?
    – CalvT
    Commented Jul 30, 2020 at 16:50
3

I will just take a pair of needle nose pliers, jam it into the wall so one needle goes directly into the drywall and the other goes into the hole of the wall plug. Clamp hard and yank it out. Clean up the hole and patch it.

Improve this answer
2
  • Yeah - that's what I normally do but it normally damages the wall.
    – rbrayb
    Commented Jun 30, 2011 at 20:14
  • You have to repair the wall anyways. A slightly larger hole isn't any more work.
    – Chris Cudmore
    Commented Oct 5, 2012 at 13:47
2

If it is the expanding type, I had good results from inserting the screw back and using a crowbar as a lever against the screw head to pull it out. But be careful it the plug is very tight against the wall that you don't delaminate the wallboard.

Improve this answer
1
  • I do this often for the plastic plugs. Just put the screw in a couple turns, but not so for that it's expanding the back, and then give a controlled tug. Those plugs typically slide right out.
    – BMitch
    Commented Aug 18, 2013 at 14:02
0

You can use a small metal rod the same size as the plug, using a hammer to knock the plug in, then patch the hole.

If this does not work, cut the plug into quarters with a Stanley knife, cut the plug out using the knife then patch the wall.

Improve this answer
0

I just tryed putting the screw back in and pulling it and out it poped the. All I had to do was fill in the holes

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    I think the premise of your answer was included in the OP's question. Maybe you can expand a bit?
    – Edwin
    Commented Oct 6, 2014 at 4:57

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.